1. Christin Smith
Professor R.G. Huff
Fine Arts
2 November 2012
Symphony No. 40 in G minor
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart completed Symphony No. 40 in G minor July 25th,
1788 during the _____ era. This masterpiece is often referred to as the “Great G Minor
Symphony” and is one of the only two minor key symphonies Mozart ever wrote. The
symphony occurred late in his career, just three years prior to his death. It was completed
directly after No. 39 and just sixteen days prior to the finished product No. 41. At the
time of these compositions, Mozart was beset with ill-health, debts, and other financial
problems. It is almost a miracle that K. 550 is considered to be one of the most prominent
works Mozart ever composed. Many scholars assert that Mozart never even heard the
symphonies performed prior to his death.
There are two versions of No. 40; the first without clarinets, the second with
clarinets and modified parts for the oboes. Mozart wanted the mellow tone color of
the clarinets in place of the nasal tone color of the oboes. These mellow sounds occur
everywhere, except in places of sustained dissonances, where the harsher, more
strident tones of the oboes have a more pronounced effect.